Steens Mountain Advisory Council to Meet in October
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Hines, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management announced today that the Steens Mountain Advisory Council (SMAC) will meet on Thursday, October 19, from 10:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. PT, and Friday, October 20, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. PT, at the BLM Burns District Office at 28910 Highway 20 West in Hines. A virtual participation option will also be available. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Meeting details and the online attendance link will be available at https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/near-you/oregon-washington/steens-mac 1 week in advance of the meeting. The SMAC is a citizen-based advisory group that provides an opportunity for people from all backgrounds and interests to have a voice in the management of America’s public lands.
The SMAC was established on August 14, 2001, pursuant to the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-399), to provide recommendations to the BLM regarding new and unique approaches to management of the public lands within the bounds of the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area and cooperative programs and incentives for landscape management that meet human needs, and advises the BLM on potential maintenance and improvement of the ecological and economic integrity of the area.
“This Advisory Council is a forum for people to participate in the land management process,” said Jeff Rose, BLM Burns District Manager and Designated Federal Official for the Steens Mountain Advisory Council. “If you’re interested in public land decisions for Steens Mountain, this is a great opportunity to listen and share with a collaborative group.”
Agenda topics will include a discussion on the Bridge Creek Area Allotment Management Plan Environmental Assessment. Additionally, BLM staff will provide a recap on recreation and visitor use for the 2023 season and the SMAC will learn about considerations for removing the Page Springs Weir. These and other topics planned for the 2-day meeting are detailed in the full agenda found here: https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/near-you/oregon-washington/steens-mac. The SMAC will also host an optional field trip at noon on October 20 to the BLM’s Wild Horse Corral Facility in Hines. The public is welcome to attend and must provide their own transportation.
Public comment periods are available at 2:15 p.m. Thursday, October 19, and 10:45 a.m. on Friday, October 20. Unless otherwise approved by the SMAC chair, the public comment period will last 30 minutes. Speakers may address the SMAC for up to 5 minutes.
Sessions may end early if all business items are accomplished ahead of schedule or may be extended if discussions warrant more time.
For more information about the SMAC, please contact Tara Thissell at 541-573-4519 or tthissell@blm.gov. Additional information about the Steens Mountain Advisory Council is available online at https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/near-you/oregon-washington/steens-mac.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.